Published: Friday, December 21, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, December 21, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.

Samoset Elementary School kindergartner Madison Graham is excited to get a dress on Friday. Members of Jaco's Boxing and Fitness bought 300 presents for students at the school.

STAFF PHOTO / DAN WAGNER

Angela was as good a name as any for the doll with the blinking eyes, dressed in a pink tutu.

“I want to be a ballerina just like her,” said Madison, 5, a kindergartner, cradling the box that contained her new toy.

It was a good day at Samoset Elementary School on Friday as strangers bought more than 300 presents for some of the neediest students in Manatee County schools.

The youngsters squealed as they unwrapped their presents in the cafeteria. One boy received his first watch. Another boy held a new soccer ball and football under each arm. Madison was proud of two dresses that she wants to wear to church.

“I can't believe they gave me a dress!” she said.

At Samoset, about 97 percent of the students receive free or reduced-price lunches, making it one of the poorest schools in the region.

“There are a lot of kids who need a little bit of joy,” said Kelli Jaco, who helped orchestrate the gift-giving.

The school is racially diverse with about 90 percent minority students.

Last year, Jaco handed out presents to strangers in the neighborhood. But this year, she and her husband wanted to do something bigger.

They were friends with Samoset assistant principal Mike Kelley, who had once taught fourth grade with Jaco and exercised at their gym, Jaco's Boxing and Fitness in Sarasota.

Kelley asked some of the students what they wanted for Christmas and left the list at the gym.

The list was full of items for sale at any toy store. Candy Land the board game. “The Avengers” action figures. Hot Wheels.